Putting Paris to shame

"That's hot!" or so Paris Hilton likes to say. (Don't ask me how I know this or why I keep up with Paris Hilton's favorite quotes...I just do). Well, Paris, I have news for you - It's HOT here!!! The bank thermometer said 107 today, although I think the fact that the noonday sun directly beat down on the face of the tower had something to do with that exaggerated temp. I am SURE it was at least 99, though, and did I mention our house doesn't have air? (Hubby, if you're reading this, I'm not complaning - just stating fact!) Of course the only logical alternative to staying in our oven...er...house...was to go to the mall! Air conditioning, food, and a 75% off sale on kids clothes at JC Penney's, all at the same lovely place!

In other news, we are moving into our new worship center next week and there is lots of excitement in the air at church! I went over Thursday night for a bible study and was amazed at all of the ways the church is trying to reach out to non-churchy people. There's a huge atrium with modern lighting, a coffee shop, and a bookstore to browse in...and that's all just when you walk in the front door! The church's website is www.faithchapel.cc if you want to see pictures or listen to a message from Pastor Stan.

I was gardening (yes, the girl who proudly kills all of her houseplants) the other day and couldn't help but notice something. Weeds look a lot like flowers. Now, you might be wondering, "Where is she going with this?" and you would be justified to ponder if I had a point. Yes, I do. It just amazed me how nature reflects our lives and our struggle with sin - the weeds looked so much like flowers that I wondered if I should get rid of them or water them to help them grow! I honestly could not tell which was the beautiful, fragrant flower that was supposed to be growing there and which was the rotten weed that was slowly choking off the life of the other plants. I also noticed how deep you had to dig to really get rid of those weeds. I tried just pulling off the top that was exposed to the surface and sure, it looked better, but I knew the weed was still there. I had to dig and work and get my hands all dirty (yuck!) to get to the root of the thing, and when I finally suceeded in pulling out the weed I was TIRED! But, I also felt like I had accomplished something (which can sometimes be a change from other days when I feel like I have accomplished nothing!)

My point in all of these random ramblings is just to say how thankful I am for God's grace that points out the "weeds" in our life and is never satisfied to just make us look good. He wants us to wrestle with those things that entangle us not to wear us out, but to make us stronger and better in the long run. How often during the day do I catch myself NOT living with the mind of Christ and just thinking, "Nah...I'll deal with it later." Nope, not good enough. Not for this gardener.

John 15:1-8
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.